The month of May in the arts kicks off with an outdoor concert in New Town, followed by offerings in chamber music, choral concerts, orchestra and more.
New Town Tunes
The New Town Tunes outdoor concert series returns today at 5:30 p.m. in Sullivan Square with the band Revelation.
The concerts will take place every Wednesday through June 12 in the square, located in the grassy area behind Legacy Hall at 4301 New Town Ave. The concert lineup features 10 bands over seven nights. On May 8, there’s a double header with the Billy Joe Daniel Band and Lenny Holmes Hendrix Forever.
Attendees can bring families, lawn chairs or blankets and picnic baskets. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All ages (and dogs) welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. The concerts are weather permitting and subject to change.
For the series lineup, visit newtownwilliamsburg.com/events-news.
Ewell Concert Series
The eclectic and appealing Ewell Concert Series at William & Mary closes its season Friday with The Wren Masters baroque ensemble in “Baroque Brilliance,” showcasing music by virtuoso composers and performers of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Masters specialize in historical presentations using the harpsichord, recorder, baroque violin and viola da gamba, performed by current and former musical masters themselves from the W&M faculty and Colonial Williamsburg, including Thomas Marshall (harpsichord), Ruth van Baak Griffioen (recorder), Susan Via (violin) and Brady Lanier (viola da gamba and Baroque cello). In addition to their local involvement, their individual talents are widely sought throughout Virginia and beyond.
The program includes music by Telemann, Marais, Buxtehude and J.S Bach. It takes place at 7 p.m. in the new Music Arts Center Building Concert Hall (next to the new Phi Beta Kappa building) on Jamestown Road. Free and open to the public.
Cantori Choral Ensemble
Agnes French’s Cantori presents its “True Love” program at 5 p.m. on Sunday in Walnut Hills Baptist Church and again on May 12, same time, in Abingdon Episcopal Church in Gloucester.
The fare includes works encompassing several periods and styles, from Elizabethan poems and mountain folk songs and ballads to agape love, reflecting all forms of love — mother’s, father’s, young and even a touching mother seal’s love for her pup.
The theme will feature such works as “O Love, “Seal Lullaby,” “Danny Boy,” “Warm Summer Sun,” settings from the Song of Solomon, “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,” “My True Love Hath My Heart,” “Birthday Madrigals” compiled by John Rutter, “Live with Me and Be My Love” and “A Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd.”
One of the notable things about Cantori is its a cappella skills. It’s always a treat to hear such finely tuned and toned singing done locally to such high quality. While many selections will feature that a cappella glow, others will be accompanied by piano (Rebecca Davy), double bass (Jordan Ponzi), clarinet (Diane Ruffer) and flute (Wayne Hedrick), all of whom have impressive professional credentials.
Reserve tickets by sending a check made out to Cantori, 3341 Derby Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Advance tickets are $15 for adults and $20 at the door. For more information, visit cantoriwilliamsburg.org.
Chamber Music Society and Virginia Arts Festival
The Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg ended its 2023-24 season recently with the spectacular Telegraph Quartet, truly one of the most effectively balanced in sound and brilliant technique to be heard this season. However, the season is not exactly over.
The society, in partnership with the Virginia Arts Festival, will usher in true chamber music royalty May 8 in the Williamsburg Library Theater at 7:30 p.m. with the appearance of the world-acclaimed Takács Quartet and pianist Olga Kern, one of the globe’s most celebrated musicians.
Kern is also the festival’s chamber music director, bringing top drawer chamber music to town.
The Takács Quartet dates back to 1975 in Budapest and boasts endless lists of awards, among them a Grammy and numerous Gramophones. They’re known for extraordinary technique, artistry, interpretation and everything else of excellence. They’re one of the most sought-after ensembles in the world of music.
In 2001, Kern was the only woman in the last 50 years to win the gold medal in the Van Cliburn Piano Competition. Her worldwide appearances on the most prestigious stages around are as dazzling as her haute-couture dresses and jewelry. She is a super star.
The program will feature Franck’s Piano Quintet and the Takács in Dvořák’s String Quartet Op. 51. Tickets are available at vafest.org.
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra closes its current season on May 14 in the Williamsburg Community Chapel with “Passion & Virtuosity,” featuring pianist-composer Aldo López-Gavilán in his “Emporium.”
Called a genius and star, the Cuban-born artist has international acclaim for his performance in classical and Afro-Cuban jazz music; his jazz compositions, in particular, are called “electrifying.”
His “Emporium” hints of the latter, offering up contrasting meters, rhythms, melodic lines and styles. It embraces a wide range of listening treats that defy its complex nature. Intriguing and totally appealing and captivating music.
WSO music director Michael Butterman is partnering this work with Ginastera’s “Variaciones Concertantes.” An absorbing piece that provides impressive individual performances by members of the orchestra, there’s plenty of appealing, contemplative music — high energy, changing rhythmic passages and fun.
Also on tap will be George Walker’s moving “Lyric for Strings,” which opens the evening and Britten’s “Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell,” which closes it.
The program begins at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-concert talk from Butterman at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, visit williamsburgsymphony.org.
The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
An intriguing program, “A Sound Mind: Exploring the Impact of Music on Mental Health,” will be presented May 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Hennage Auditorium. It’s presented by the Virginia Affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning in support of awareness that arts in a child’s education results in enhanced learning.
“Sound Mind” uncovers ways music can positively impact mental health, promote self-expression and regulate emotion. Through a series of self-written songs, the program offers participants insights and strategies for accessing the therapeutic potential of music. Suitable for grades 5 to 12.
A second program takes place June 16 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Hennage. Featuring “Essential African Threads,” it will focus on traditional slave tales and hidden meanings that aim to educate and celebrate African American history. Suitable for grades K-5 and families. No fee or registration for these events.
Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.
